Isle of Wight Run
Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 September 2008



Early in the morning of Saturday 6 September, Triumph?s from across the County converged on Clacket Lane Service Area, their final destination being the Isle of Wight. The ride to the first stop at the Devil?s Punch Bowl, Hindhead was a little wet and windy but better than had been expected (what a summer we have not had). A few more bikes joined on route and some at the Punch bowl itself.

After suitable refreshment the pack left in two groups for the run to Portsmouth. The weather, which had held up to now took a turn for the worst and everybody got a really good soaking. Thankfully that was then end of the wet weather for the weekend.

Once on the Island it was a short ride to the various B&B?s at Sandown to book in and unpack. The afternoon was free so members did what they wanted. Some went for a ride while others went for some lunch and a beer or two. The crazy golf at £2.50 per person was well worth the money, although some say that Martin who won had an unfair advantage (something to do with playing golf and having played the course before).

The evening meal and entertainment was at the Folly pub on the other side of the Island so it was into three mini buses for the journey. Good food and drink was followed by live entertainment which, as is customary at the Folly, ended up with dancing on the tables. Eleven thirty came as did our carriages so we all went back for some rest.

Bright and early the next day saw the pack rise and go for breakfast. There were a few aches and pains due to the previous night?s activities but not a many as expected. Breakfast done it was time to put the riding kit on. As some people had been before they did not join the main party but did as Triumph say, their own thing. The rest of the pack were met by Andrew from the Isle of Wight RAT pack and taken to the meeting point at the Roman Villa. Here Forty odd other Triumph?s arrived some as far a field as Durham and Wales. There was lots of talk about the step hairpin bends at Ventnor which had been encountered the previous year, before the photo shoot was called. That done and the normal briefing the group left for the first part of the ride.

The ride differed for last year as there was a music festival on the Island which meant some roads were closed and those nearby were covered in mud. The local RAT?s route did indeed take the roads at Ventnor which challenged all (if you have never been there is a must if you do go). Then it was onto Shanklin for lunch.

After lunch the rest of the Island was navigated although the pack reduced in size as riders peeled of for the return ferry crossing. For the eleven that stayed a second night a very enjoyable curry night was had.

Once again the weekend was great and thanks must go to Andrew Welling (Wight RAT?s), Chrissy and Alan for all their organisation and hard work.

Ian